Editor’s note: Each week during the fall sports season, Varsity Maine will highlight a boys and girls team of the week. The teams, picked by staff members, will take into account several factors, including success stories, bounce-back efforts, notable accomplishments, among others. Athletes, coaches and athletic directors can nominate teams by emailing sports editor Bill Stewart at [email protected] or Varsity Maine editor Lee Horton at [email protected].
Varsity Maine Boys Team of the Week: Kennebunk football
The Rams came out on top in perhaps the most dramatic finish of the week, defeating Falmouth 33-28 on a last-minute defensive stand. With 25 seconds remaining and the ball at the Kennebunk 6-yard line, linebacker Tyler Samson jumped a slant route for an interception that sealed the victory — and another memorable finish between the rivals.
The finish provided a fitting end to a close game that featured three lead changes. Ethan White had 181 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns for Kennebunk, while Samson had six carries for 43 yards and two touchdowns. Falmouth’s Alex Hau caught 11 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns, and Micah Derring ran for two scores while passing for 275 yards and two TDs.
Varsity Maine Girls Team of the Week: Skowhegan field hockey
The River Hawks knew they would have the eyes of the sport on them. They were playing their first game in 45 years without 20-time state champion coach Paula Doughty, and field hockey followers were sure to watch the season opener closely to see what the program looks like without the winningest coach in Maine history.
If there was any pressure, the River Hawks didn’t seem fazed by it. Skowhegan opened with a 7-0 win over Oxford Hills last Thursday, then followed it up with an equally impressive 5-0 rout of rival Mt. Blue. Kaitlyn Dufour (three goals, two assists) and Faith Pease (two goals, assist) had big games in the first win, while Dufour (two goals), Pease (goal, two assists) and Charlotte Haynie (goal, assist) led the offense in the second.